# What are these Dominion Voting Machines? (Fox News and Dominion have settled for $787.5 million) **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [November 30, 2020, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-these-dominion-voting-machines-fox-news-and-dominion-have-settled-for-787-5-million/926845 "2020-11-30T18:43:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 8
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2023, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-these-dominion-voting-machines-fox-news-and-dominion-have-settled-for-787-5-million/926845/141 "2023-04-20T02:19:12Z")
Due to a recently deployed bug in Discourse, if you embed a video so it will play in the thread, that post may or may not be able to be posted. But if it does post, it absolutely positively cannot be edited. If instead you provide the vid link in the form of something you have to click to navigate to e.g. youtube to play the vid there, the no-post / no-edit bug is not triggered. See the current thread in Site Feedback for more, but I’ve covered the punchline. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2023, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-these-dominion-voting-machines-fox-news-and-dominion-have-settled-for-787-5-million/926845/142 "2023-04-20T02:26:19Z")
Ah…thanks. I was thinking I need to stop by Site Feedback but I think you’ve answered it. Hope Discourse gets it sorted. /hijack ---
**Author:** ![dougrb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/76d3ee/32.png) [@dougrb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougrb)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2023, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-these-dominion-voting-machines-fox-news-and-dominion-have-settled-for-787-5-million/926845/143 "2023-04-20T02:31:06Z")
Ctrl-K will allow you to insert a link that won’t get fudged. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2023, 2:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-these-dominion-voting-machines-fox-news-and-dominion-have-settled-for-787-5-million/926845/144 "2023-04-20T02:38:24Z")
> [@Moriarty](#): > > The special master assigned to oversee the discovery dispute is no longer on the case. > > [https://www.nbcnews.com/news/amp/rcna80289](https://www.nbcnews.com/news/amp/rcna80289) This is disappointing. I would think these missteps were a crime against the court itself (or at the very least an ethics violation). That FOX and/or their lawyers can buy their way out of consequences for this seems wrong to me. I’d think the judge would at least refer the Fox attorneys to their local Bar for sanctions. ---
**Author:** ![gnoitall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bb73d2/32.png) [@gnoitall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gnoitall)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2023, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-these-dominion-voting-machines-fox-news-and-dominion-have-settled-for-787-5-million/926845/145 "2023-04-20T02:50:42Z")
It is already being discussed, though, with many experiments. No conclusions, except that Discourse is inconsistently hosed. > [@Have links to YouTube been disabled?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-links-to-youtube-been-disabled/981958): > > I just tried posting a couple of YouTube links in and got the message An error occurred: Sorry, you can’t embed media items in a post. What’s going on? ---
**Author:** ![BeepKillBeep](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/9e8a1a/32.png) [@BeepKillBeep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BeepKillBeep)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2023, 10:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-these-dominion-voting-machines-fox-news-and-dominion-have-settled-for-787-5-million/926845/146 "2023-04-20T10:57:09Z")
> **[Fox's Massive Dominion Settlement Is Tax Deductible: Report](https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/fox-news-dominion-settlement-tax-deductible-1234720178/)** > > The company could write off a large portion of its $787.5 million settlement it owes Dominion as an income tax deduction According to other analysis I’ve read, you (assuming you’re an American taxpayer) will pay about $200M of the settlement. ---
**Author:** ![Mijin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mijin/32/9369_2.png) [@Mijin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mijin)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2023, 11:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-these-dominion-voting-machines-fox-news-and-dominion-have-settled-for-787-5-million/926845/147 "2023-04-20T11:21:18Z")
I’m on a number of right-wing forums and the response has been silence in most cases; just completely ducking the issue, with one or two tepid assertions of “everyone knows the election was stolen”. Hopefully some of the silent people are reassessing their convictions. But I won’t hold my breath. The few people actually commenting on this settlement, are coming up with incredibly desperate excuses. A popular one is that FOX and Dominion are actually owned by the same people. Because obviously that would make a lot of sense. > [@Mijin](#): > > This was the analysis on [BBC] radio anyway. I hope that the [BBC] TV news will not purely run cover for FOX. Update: The TV coverage has indeed been (rightly) more critical of FOX. ([youtube clip](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e5RrVdEoqbk)) ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2023, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-these-dominion-voting-machines-fox-news-and-dominion-have-settled-for-787-5-million/926845/148 "2023-04-20T15:13:39Z")
> [@BeepKillBeep](#): > > According to other analysis I’ve read, you (assuming you’re an American taxpayer) will pay about $200M of the settlement. Unless, on the other side, Dominion has to pay taxes on their recovery. ---
**Author:** ![Bookkeeper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bookkeeper/32/281_2.png) [@Bookkeeper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bookkeeper)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2023, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-these-dominion-voting-machines-fox-news-and-dominion-have-settled-for-787-5-million/926845/149 "2023-04-20T15:44:56Z")
> [@Aspenglow](#): > > Bankruptcies. That may very well be a part of Fox’s calculations in settling - let Dominion concentrate on destroying our competition. ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2023, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-these-dominion-voting-machines-fox-news-and-dominion-have-settled-for-787-5-million/926845/150 "2023-04-20T16:30:51Z")
Yes, this occurred to me, too – meaning it also occurred to Dominion’s lawyers. I suspect they’ll be selective about the cases they wish to pursue with relentless focus – and the ones they won’t. “Ask for enough to make it hurt – but not enough to put them out of business. Well, except for Giuliani. And Powell. And Lindell. Let’s crush those assholes.” ---
**Author:** ![squeegee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/squeegee/32/14537_2.png) [@squeegee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squeegee)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2023, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-these-dominion-voting-machines-fox-news-and-dominion-have-settled-for-787-5-million/926845/151 "2023-04-20T16:50:47Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > Unless, on the other side, Dominion has to pay taxes on their recovery In the US at least, my recollection is that actual damages recovered from a legal action aren’t taxable. Punitive damages are taxable. I’m trying to dig up a cite and the answers are complex. OK, I found this, which says the Dominion monies may be taxable. > **[Do I Have to Pay Taxes on a Lawsuit Settlement? - SH Block Tax Services](https://www.mdtaxattorney.com/resources/do-i-have-to-pay-taxes-on-a-lawsuit-settlement/)** > > The IRS has strict rules on what kinds of settlements are taxable or nontaxable—and many settlements may contain both taxable and nontaxable damages. Plan ahead so you aren’t surprised at tax time. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2023, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-these-dominion-voting-machines-fox-news-and-dominion-have-settled-for-787-5-million/926845/152 "2023-04-20T17:04:31Z")
> [@squeegee](#): > > In the US at least, my recollection is that actual damages recovered from a legal action aren’t taxable. Punitive damages are taxable. Damages related to actual physical injury are tax exempt. So that’s a lot of lawsuits, but of course not all. This Dominion case wouldn’t get that exemption, although perhaps there is something else I’m unaware of. ---
**Author:** ![squeegee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/squeegee/32/14537_2.png) [@squeegee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squeegee)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2023, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-these-dominion-voting-machines-fox-news-and-dominion-have-settled-for-787-5-million/926845/153 "2023-04-20T17:09:43Z")
It may also make a difference that Dominion Voting Systems is a Canadian company, so maybe different rules apply. ---
**Author:** ![Mallard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b9bd4f/32.png) [@Mallard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mallard)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2023, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-these-dominion-voting-machines-fox-news-and-dominion-have-settled-for-787-5-million/926845/154 "2023-04-20T20:16:09Z")
That would sting twice as bad for Fox paying 3/4 of a billion to a Canadian company considering how much the US political right hates Canada. In trumps words “the Canadians have been screwing us for years” (said during trade talks) ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2023, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-these-dominion-voting-machines-fox-news-and-dominion-have-settled-for-787-5-million/926845/155 "2023-04-20T20:46:46Z")
> [@squeegee](#): > > It may also make a difference that Dominion Voting Systems is a Canadian company, so maybe different rules apply. Dominion was founded in Canada, but it’s not exclusively a Canadian company – its headquarters are split between Toronto and Denver. I’m not sure of the exact corporate structure but I imagine that the Fox settlement would go to its US division, be taxable by the IRS, and its US-based legal expenses would be deductible from its US taxes. In fact Dominion’s US presence is far more important than its Canadian one as that’s where it gets virtually all its business. I’m not aware of Canadian elections at any level using any voting machines, Dominion’s or anyone else’s. ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Feldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lord_feldon/32/341_2.png) [@Lord\_Feldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Feldon)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2023, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-these-dominion-voting-machines-fox-news-and-dominion-have-settled-for-787-5-million/926845/156 "2023-04-21T15:03:05Z")
> [@wolfpup](#): > > I’m not aware of Canadian elections at any level using any voting machines, Dominion’s or anyone else’s. Ontario has used Dominion machines to count votes in its last two provincial elections. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2023, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-these-dominion-voting-machines-fox-news-and-dominion-have-settled-for-787-5-million/926845/157 "2023-04-21T15:10:55Z")
> [@Lord\_Feldon](#): > > Ontario has used Dominion machines to count votes in its last two provincial elections. Ah, OK, thanks. I had in fact thought perhaps there was a distinction between _voting_ machines (machines operated by the voter to cast their ballot) and vote _counting_ machines that count paper ballots. I have never seen _voting machines_ as such in Canadian elections, but have no idea what goes on in the back rooms when votes are tallied. Clearly Dominion does business in Canada. Thanks for the clarification. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2023, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-these-dominion-voting-machines-fox-news-and-dominion-have-settled-for-787-5-million/926845/158 "2023-04-21T15:13:56Z")
Pulaski County AR has scanners we feed our ballots to. Perhaps the Canadian officials scan ballots at some other location. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2023, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-these-dominion-voting-machines-fox-news-and-dominion-have-settled-for-787-5-million/926845/159 "2023-04-21T15:14:29Z")
What, overpricing maple syrup? ---
**Author:** ![Drum\_God](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drum_god/32/44_2.png) [@Drum\_God](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drum_God)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2023, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-these-dominion-voting-machines-fox-news-and-dominion-have-settled-for-787-5-million/926845/160 "2023-04-21T15:53:18Z")
So, where does the $787 million come from? Does FoxNews (and other media outlets) have insurance for stuff like that? Would it cover such a huge award? Does FoxNews just have an account sitting around with that much moolah doing nothing much? Surely that account would be in gold coins or other precious metals. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-these-dominion-voting-machines-fox-news-and-dominion-have-settled-for-787-5-million/926845.md?page=7) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-these-dominion-voting-machines-fox-news-and-dominion-have-settled-for-787-5-million/926845.md?page=9)